Thursday, September 14, 2006

The Rat Skyscraper


As soon as the Fed Ex guy delivered the rat skyscraper, the kids were on the phone to Dad. He took his lunch hour and came home to put it together. This cage is truly a skyscraper. It would be like a 6,000 sq. ft. house to you and me. These rats are living in luxury.

The funny thing is how the kids, and Rob, love these rats. Rob has been dubbed the Rat King and the boys, the Rat Princes. Even sweet little Princess Rose loves cuddling with the rodents. Ick. I suppose I've been prejudiced by those rat movies of my youth: Willard and Ben. Then there's the icky Templeton of Charlotte's Web. And all the examples of real live vermin. Double ick.

But I'm told domesticated rats are nothing like their vermin counterparts. In fact, I'm also told, that if you're going to have small animals, domesticated rats are the way to go. They're smart, trainable, and very social.

Maybe someday I'll come around. I don't think I have choice.

7 comments:

Karen Edmisten said...

I can NOT let my kids see that cage. They'll think we're being positively abusive to our hamster, who does have two stories, but nothing like the square footage your pampered pet will enjoy!
;-)

Maureen said...

I'm tellin' you Karen, can you believe that rat palace! If your kids do see it, just explain that rats are like ten times bigger than hamsters. The rats will get up to 8 inches long not counting their tails.) Triple ick.

Maureen said...

PS Our poor dwarf hamster only has one story. Though his cage is very cute in neon colors.

EC Gefroh said...

Rats make wonderful pets Maureen! I used to have one named Baby and I just loved her. So friendly and clean too. Your rats are living in luxury :-)

Maureen said...

Yes Esther, the Rat King is very generous to his subjects :-).

I keep telling myself that they are good pets. It's just going to take me a while to get over my prejudices.

I have to admit, I'm as completely creeped out as I was when Rob first came home with them .

Anonymous said...

Hello, Could you please tell me if your rats are still enjoying the palace? And if they have ever had foot problems from the shelves being wire too?
Thank you

Maureen said...

The rats love their palace!!!

We haven't had foot problems . . . yet. I hear that is a common thing though.

Rob may put plexiglass down on the metal floors to protect the rats' little delicate feet.

And, if anyone is wondering, I still haven't touched the rats, though everyone else here loves them.